Ryan William Allard

Ryan William Allard of Goleta and Santa Barbara peacefully passed away on March 4, 2026 at the age of 42.

Ryan was born on May 11, 1983, to Margaret and Doug Allard, joining his two-year-old sister Katie, in Rowland Heights, California.

In 1986, the family relocated to Santa Barbara, where Ryan happily lived ever since. He attended local schools - Mountain View, Elwood, La Colina, Dos Pueblos, and a transitional community-based program, through the county office of special education.

He loved his teachers, with particular lifelong fondness for transition teacher Mary Lynn Shields.

After graduating from Mary Lynn's program at age 22, Ryan joined the Alpha Resource Center Day Program where he remained a participant until his passing.

The phenomenal support staff at Alpha, particularly his one-on-one, Paul Rocha, opened up the world for Ryan and helped him become a true member of the Santa Barbara community, something not all adults with disabilities are given the opportunity to do.

At this same time, Ryan was also able to move into a small bungalow in downtown Santa Barbara and live independently with the support of 24/7 caregivers.

After a few years of frequently rotating staff, Ryan was paired with Edgar Melchoir, who quickly became not only a caregiver, but also Ryan's dearest friend, and who remained at Ryan's side until the end.

Ryan loved to be on the go, and was always excited for the many wonderful vacations he took with his family, including four trips to Hawaii, four trips to Canada, many trips to Yosemite and San Diego, as well as the Grand Canyon, Big Sur, and up the California Coast to Oregon, and countless trips to Disneyland and family visits to Orange County.

He also went yearly to RAD Camp (previously Camp Recreation) – a magical weeklong summer camp for adults with disabilities in Southern California.

Ryan was a passionate guy and when he found something he loved, he truly loved it. Some of his passions included: sports – especially the Dodgers and Lakers, balloons, Disney movies, dogs of all shapes and sizes, collecting pamphlets of all shapes and sizes (and quantities!), and going out to eat, especially getting donuts or McDonald's, where he would always save his Happy Meal toys for his nephews.

Ryan's deepest passion was his Catholic faith. He would often ask to visit multiple churches a day, just to visit, and he never left the house without his Missal in his hand.

He was at his absolute happiest, sitting with his mother in Mass at San Roque Church listening to David Potter play the pipe organ. He spent many hours in his final days watching the Mass on TV and listening to church music from his bed.

More than anything, Ryan loved people and people loved him, despite his sometimes challenging behaviors. He had a way of finding something unique to remember about someone, and then he never forgot them. And he made people feel special in a way that they never forgot him.

Life handed Ryan many challenges, but he never let them get him down. He drew strength from the constant love and support of his family and caregivers, and his unwavering faith in Jesus, who he always believed was watching over us all.

On Jan. 10, he began a valiant 45-day battle in the hospital against complications of pneumonia, then came home to his childhood bedroom with the help of hospice and spent a peaceful and comforting week surrounded by friends and loved ones before he passed.

Ryan is survived by his parents Margaret and Doug, his sister Katie, brother-in-law Aaron, and nephews Harry and Billy, caregiver and friend Edgar, grandparents Bob and Marlene, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was reunited in heaven with his beloved Grandmas' Harriette and Kathe, and Aunt Karen.

A funeral Mass for Ryan will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 18 at San Roque Church, with the graveside service to immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara, 4501 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

Katie is also collecting stories and pictures of Ryan for a memorial book. If you have an anecdote or favorite memory you'd like to share, please visit https://www.storyworth.com/join/tales-of-ryan-allard-733745.